Awarded Research Themes and Reports
Note: "Affiliation" in the table is based on the day of grant.
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| Grant Year | Research Theme | Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator (Country) |
Research Content Summary / Related Publication / Main Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 First |
New Measurement Methods for Molecular Design Theory of Polymer Additives | Prof. Kenji Fukuzawa(Japan), Dr. Yuxi Song(Japan) 24A07 |
Ⅰ. Summary In this project, in order to establish a bottom-up molecular design theory for polymer additives, we proposed and tried the new methods for measuring (1) intermolecular interaction, (2) molecular state (in oil and adsorption state), and (3) lubrication performance of adsorption film. To quantify the intermolecular interactions between the additive, lubricant, and sliding surface, we introduced the Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) method. We utilized the dynamic light scattering method to measure the molecular radius of additives in the base oil. The ellipsometric microscope was used to measure the film thickness of additive molecules during adsorption in real time. By simultaneously measuring the adsorption film thickness and friction properties with the ellipsometric microscope, we quantified the boundary lubrication performance of adsorbed films．We successfully confirmed the feasibility of the proposed methods. Ⅱ. Main Report (including Related Publication) 24A07 Main report(HP).pdf Affiliation of Principal Investigator: Nagoya University |
| The Influence of Surface Roughness on the Growth, Friction, and Durability of Nanoparticle-Derived Tribocoatings | Prof. Robert W. Carpick(USA) Mr. Cyrian Leriche(Netherlands) 24A14 |
Ⅰ. Summary In-situ growth of protective tribofilms from nanoparticle-containing lubricants has attracted substantial interest due to its potential for wear reduction and energy savings. While previous studies have explored the performance of various nanoparticle materials and particle shapes/sizes, the connection between surface topography—of either the substrate or the tribofilm—and the processes of tribofilm nucleation and growth is mostly unexplored. We examined the relationship between surface topography and tribofilm growth. Using microscale colloid probes in contact-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) immersed in ZrO₂ nanoparticle-containing lubricant oil, several tribofilm growth tests were performed changing the applied interfacial nominal pressure and the initial substrate roughness. The slope of the substrate/tribofilm converged to a consistent value across the growth area for all tests. Furthermore, tribofilm nucleation and early growth are promoted at high-slope regions of the substrate. These results shed light on tribofilm growth and on ways to promote it via substrate design. Ⅱ. Related Publication (Researcher doesn't agree to disclose main report.) 24A14 Related Publication (HP).pdf Affiliation of Principal Investigator: University of Pennsylvania |
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| In-situ identification strategy for additive-derived tribofilms on coating surfaces | Dr. Nan Xu(UK) Prof. Ardian Morina(UK) 24A27 |
Ⅰ. Summary In this project, we used an in-situ Raman spectroscopy method to investigate tribofilm formation and evolution on DLC-coated surfaces. Three additive types—ZDDP, MoDTC, and carbon quantum dots—were evaluated. By combining complementary characterisation techniques (FIB/TEM, Raman spectroscopy, 3D optical profilometry, and EDS), we demonstrated that in-situ Raman can effectively track both the composition and thickness evolution of tribofilms formed from MoDTC and carbon quantum dots. These measurements provide a direct link between tribofilm characteristics and tribological performance, offering deeper mechanistic insight into additive-driven anti-wear and friction-reduction behaviour. Parts of the results were disseminated at the European Conference on Tribology. In addition, two summer internship students contributed to the project by exploring superlubricity mechanisms associated with additive-derived tribofilms. Ⅱ. Related Publication (Researcher doesn't agree to disclose main report.) 24A27 Related Publication (HP).pdf Affiliation of Principal Investigator: University of Leeds |